Admitted my kitten into the vet hospital

Today i took my 3 and 1/2 month old kitten to the vet because he wasn't eating and he ended up having to stay over night to receive fluids and vitamins. The vet didn't really give me much info on what was wrong with him other than "he needs help or he's going to die" so I'm kinda worried about his stay there. He had a temperature of 96 (below normal) and only weighed two pounds.

The only reason I took him to this vet was because it was the only one around that took walk-ins and I knew my kitten couldn't make it an extra couple days.

Has Anyone's cat experienced something similar to mines condition and know what's going on with him? I'm regretting taking him to this vet but it was my only alternative.

How long had he gone without eating? It's odd that the vet didn't give you any more specific information on his condition.

moriles9 said:

Today i took my 3 and 1/2 month old kitten to the vet because he wasn't eating and he ended up having to stay over night to receive fluids and vitamins. The vet didn't really give me much info on what was wrong with him other than "he needs help or he's going to die" so I'm kinda worried about his stay there. He had a temperature of 96 (below normal) and only weighed two pounds.

The only reason I took him to this vet was because it was the only one around that took walk-ins and I knew my kitten couldn't make it an extra couple days.

Has Anyone's cat experienced something similar to mines condition and know what's going on with him? I'm regretting taking him to this vet but it was my only alternative.

Click to expand...

Your kitten is at risk of dying and this risk didn't didn't happen overnight.  A 3.5 month old kitten should weigh approximately 3.5 pounds (they put on almost exactly 1 pound per month at the start of life) so your cat is almost 50% underweight.  In other words he's at risk of starving to death.   His temperature is so low that he could die at any moment, a normal temp is 101.5, and at 96 degrees, that's a temp where cats routinely die.

So it was great that you brought your kitten in, because he is at the borderline of life and death.  My question is, what's been going on with him prior to today?  Can you discuss his appetite and your feeding habits?  How long has he been doing so poorly?

First, never regret taking your kitten to the vet. It's always better safe than sorry with cats. If your vet didn't give you more information, it was probably a "I need to treat this kitten NOW!" situation. I think a follow up call to the vet would be a good idea, now that your kitten is being treated and is on fluids. I'm sure the vet can diagnose him more than we can.

Like StephenQ said, has the kitten been eating normally? It's always suggested to give kittens as much food as they will eat since they grow so fast. Has he been given enough food? Wet food or dry? If he's on dry food, is he drinking enough water? Young kittens are at a bigger risk of dehydration since their bodies can't regulate water like adult cats. Is he using the litter box normally or peeing outside of it? 

Sending good vibes to your kitten. 

How's your kitten doing today? Were you able to transfer him/her to your regular vet?

Sending healing vibes

[quote name="moriles9" url="/t/307607/admitted-my-kitten-into-the-vet-hospital#post_3850452] I'm regretting taking him to this vet but it was my only alternative.[/quote]

Oh I see you might mean that "this" particular vet - not meaning taking him to a vet. I am glad that you did take your kitten to the vet. Sounds like your kitten is in a serious state and will still need medical attention, I am sure. Stay in contact with this vet, or another vet, daily giving updates on if your kitten is eating well and drinking. If not, he needs to be hospitalized for more tests and fluids.

How long have you had this kitten? Where did you adopt? Or was this a stray? How long has kitten been off food? If you adopted, most shelters will assist you with medical care especially if they have a shelter vet on staff. Mega, mega vibes for this little one and that he survives. :cross:

Got the call that he died last night. I am so upset and feel so bad that I didn't do something sooner. I had raised him from a week old.

I'm so sorry for your loss.  Did the vet have any idea why he was ill?

moriles9 said:

Got the call that he died last night. I am so upset and feel so bad that I didn't do something sooner. I had raised him from a week old.

Click to expand...

Oh dear. I am truly, TRULY very sorry and saddened to see this update. I am very sorry. It is really hard to say what could have caused this illness and we all do have these regrets in looking back. We can't change what happened and should not beat ourselves up over what we should or could have done. Sometimes, especially if we don't have much kitten experience, then we don't know when something is really, really wrong until it is too late. I am just so sorry for the little one and for you. It is an experience that is so hard to take but sometimes one we can gain insight. All around, it is just so lousy and heartbreaking.

So sorry to hear that

On behalf of the TCS Team, we offer our condolences.  Threads are locked after the passing of a kitty as a sign of respect.  Please consider posting a tribute to your little friend in our Crossing the Bridge forum:  http://www.thecatsite.com/f/19/crossing-the-bridge